CORINNA TOWNSHIP MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, May 2, 2006

7 p.m., Toiwn Hall

Present: Nancy Young, Peter Ramme, Charlotte Quiggle, Jerry Pitra, Lee Parks, Karen Mol, Bud Garthe, Andrew Mack , Community Growth Institute; and Tim Young, Township Attorney. Town Board: Chairman Bill Lieb, Supervisor John Dearing, Supervisor Alan Jude and Clerk/Treasurer Vi Novotne.

Minutes of the April 18, 2006 Township Meeting were approved with one correction for Item #1, Hal Biel, change “from a sidelot of 12’ “ to “a sidelot of 10’” Motion of John Dearing, second by Alan Jude and carried.

With motion by Alan Jude and second by John Dearing the May 2, 2006 Agenda was approved with the following changes: cancel Judy Johnson, add Nancy Young and Dean Flygare and Other Items: add Steve Glatzel.

Copies of April 18 Town Board Minutes and proposed Agenda for May 2, 2006 along with a list of claims to be paid were available for those attending the meeting.

Requests to be on the Agenda:

1. Dean Flygare, 9850 91st St NW. Site: SE Qtr of NW Qtr, Section 33, Township 121 Range 27. Plans to construct an equipment building and office on property off Highway 55. Driveway will be 67th Street. With motion by John Dearing, second Alan Jude, the board approved the division of the Purcell Property for the construction of a 54x80 shop and 45x30 office..

2. Peter Ramme, 11360 Hart Ave NW. PID 206-000-013208. Plan is to reconstruct house into a split level home with an addition using the existing foundation. Present home is 43’.3” from the lake and porch that connects to garage is 31’7”. Plans were presented. Well is to be replaced and septic is certified for a 4 BR home. Hills are on either side of lot. Placing the house at 75’ would cut lake view drastically. John Dearing presented motion that the house is to be placed 50’ from the ordinary highwater mark of the lake. Alan Jude second. The motion was unanimously approved.

3. Nancy Young, 10670 Imhoff Avenue NW Wishes to present update on Pitra Gravel Pit Site. At the April 27 Planning Commission meeting, four additional letters of objections were received. The Commission noted that township board had revoked its prior approval and the site violated the 20-acre single parcel ordinance. As Mr. Pitra faced denial of his gravel mining operation, he withdrew his request. If Mr. Pitra can correct these problems, he may resubmit his request. John Dearing added that Mr. Pitra must decide if he combines lots, the lots could not be divided later.

In response to Nancy Young’s request, the board approved the placement of a “Dead End” sign at the entrance of Imhoff Avenue.

4. Bud Garthe, 8909 Linn Avenue and e-mail of 4/26/06. Stated that as Linn Avenue is a gravel road in a high traffic area, the road continues to be in an almost undriveable condition. The board stated that with dry weather, grading the road becomes impossible. No new gravel was hauled and spread on the road last year as a paving project was petitioned and later retracted because of the high cost to each property owner..

John Dearing added that township has several roads with these problems. A traffic count will made of this road

5. Planning and Zoning. Response Strategy to County Board Proposal for Dual Permit System. Township Attorney Tim Young and Andrew Mack, Community Growth Institute and Task Force Members. Tim Young stated that the Wright County Planning Commission proposed Ordinance Amendment, 507 More Restrictive Townships, proposes a dual permit system which is not covered by any known legal authority.

This proposal is most likely a legal strategy similar to the Annandale/Maple Lake Sewer Plant. If Wright County adopts the amendment to the ordinance, the township has no alternative than to go to Court, the Court of Appeals. If this is the likely progression, Tim Young suggested that the township should acquire a lawyer specializing in Appeals Court so that shaped decisions are made. The township association should be contacted as the actions have statewide implications and association could offer statutory power. Costs may be substantial and timeline of six to nine months may be necessary. The board discussed the need for a $25,000 legal budget. Tim Young continued that if township would win at each step, county could ask legislature to change law. This action would affect counties with a lot of development. Minnesota Law gives the township the right to conduct its own planning and zoning. Basic concept is law says yes and if county imposes two permits, the law means nothing. A dual permit system serves only to force township property owners to pay twice in time and money for a permit. The township has a legitimate right to control its destiny. Corinna Township believes that it is in the best positiion to plan for its future. The township has more knowledge of conditions in the township. It is premature for Wright County to assume that it can do a better job planning for Corinna Township than Corinna Township can do on its own.

Bill Lieb cited an example that if township has a Planning Commission and staff reports an action that the township board approves and then the action is forwarded to county and its staff report is extremely different, we have a conflict. A compromise would be needed. Tim continued that Section 507 is a reckless course of action and better use of resources would be spent in cooperative efforts that allows township to conduct own planning activities and Wright County knows that the planning activities are as restrictive as required by Wright County’s zoning ordinance.

Andrew Mack of Community Growth stated that Wright County Planning should be asked to allow more time for a decision. If the ordinance goes to court action, and if township would be found to meet same level as county and in some cases more restrictive, the court will most likely go with the township. A sub-division agreement could set one precedent. The Task Force will meet after the Screening Meeting Saturday May 6 and again May 17 and two meetings are scheduled in June. Andrew Mack stated that he will work with the Task Force, at the May 6 meeting, in the preparation of a letter that states the strong support of Corinna’s property owners for township planning and zoning. The letter will be sent to the County Board of Commissioners and the Planning Commission. Tim Young will prepare a response letter asking for forbearance in the adoption of the amendment. Tim Young and Andrew Mack intend to give oral presentations at the hearing.

Charlotte Quiggle, Comprehensive Planning Task Force member, suggested that township should mobilize attendance at the hearing and suggested that letters be mailed to Planning Commission. Sugar Lake Association members have been alerted in their recently mailed newsletter. Alan Jude added that all township should be contacted with an e-mail. Alan prepared a letter that will inform each Township in Wright County that Corinna wishes to try to do our own Planning and Zoning; an amendment is proposed to the ordinance that requires dual permitting; the double permitting would affect all townships whether they wish to do their own Planning and Zoning now or in the future; and any support any township government could give our township should be at the Planning Commission Hearing, May 11. The letter concluded that Corinna Township does not intend to be indifferent towards our neighbors, but our township would like to be somewhat in charge of our own destiny.

Andrew Mack added that he will be attending the Minnesota Chapter Planning Board meeting. The Board has interaction with the League of Cities to encourage laws to be produced or clarified and information is forwarded to local legislature.

Charlotte Quiggle suggested that articles should be published in the newspaper. Tim Young added that a newspaper must show both sides of an issue and a published article may have an editorial slant. Township may run a high risk in asking that an article be published as editor controls what is placed in the newspaper.

Bill Lieb will be the spokesman to the press. Motion made by Alan Jude, second by John Dearing, and approved.

Wright County Planning Commission Public Hearing, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 11, Board Room at Wright County Government Center. Consider amendment to the Wright County Zoning Ordinance. Amendment will describe proposed procedures and process for administration of planning and zoning in townships which adopt official controls related to land use.

Maintenance Men Meeting: Mark Miller and Douglas Smith, absent

Cell phone. Tabled for further discussion.

Other Items:

1. Judith Feenstra, 102nd St NW, PID 206-000-123401 (cont’d, 4/18/06) Request for assistance in clearing nearby ravine. John Dearing will make a site visit.

2. Chuck Emme, 11332 Lawrence Ave NW, PID 206-019-000010 (cont’d 4/18/06).

Request for gravel. John Dearing stated that the road appears to be a 20’ wide dedicated road. John will make a site visit.

3. Planning and Zoning Ltr 4/07/06 request for follow up on complaint covering property at 8364 Highway 24 (cont’d 4/18/06) Board member will make a site visit.

4. Topfer’s Sugar Lake Beach, Second Addition, Road Vacation. Rescheduled for town board meeting, June 6, 2006.

5. Town Hall

Air conditioning remains to be installed.

Rental Policy: Alan Jude prepared a rental policy for clubs, associations or Cub Scouts. A typed copy will be prepared for review at next town board meeting.

6. Market Retreat Preconstruction Conference, 4/20/06

Otto Associates forwarded for review: Performance Bond, Payment Bond, Corporation Acknowledgment, Surety Acknowledgment, Power of Attorney and Liability and Workers Compensation Insurance Statement. Board noted.

7. Recycling Contract. Wright Recycling forwarded signed contract.

A. Klemz, property owner and neighbors made a telephone request for twice a month recycling pickup.

8. Corporate Authorization Resolution, Annandale State Bank. Board member signatures were updated.

9. MN Statute 331A03 covers Alternative Publishing Requirements for legal notices. Board received a copy of the statute.

10. Hart Avenue Road Project Assessment. No comment.

11. Tony Rieger-Borer, 11756 Jarvis Ave NW, telephone request, 4/25/06. With Highway 24 reconstruction, and if township becomes owner of the house near the cemetery, he wishes first option to buy it and move it. Board noted the request.

12. State of Minnesota Secretary of State Office announces SVRS VIEW for local election officials. Statewide Voter Registrtation System (SvRS) is intended for local election officials and is scheduled to begin in May, 2006. Training will be implemented.

13. Building Permits, 2/23-4/25/06 (7) 1-new home; 3-septic systems; 1-replace roof; 1-deck and 1-land alteration.

14. TH55 Coalition Meeting, April 21. No comment.

15. Right of Way Mowing, Snow Plowing and Brush and Weed Mowing. Board noted e-mail bid from Steve’s Lawn and Snow of Otsego, MN.

16. Payment of Claims: Claims covered by Check Nos. 13239-13276 and EFT 20-23 for a total amount of $48, 627.02 were approved and paid.

With motion by Alan, second by John Dearing, the meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Approved, May 16, 2006

______________________ ______________________

Viola M. Novotne, Clerk/Treasurer Bill Lieb, Chairman.